DESIGNATIONS and CERTIFICATIONS

DESIGNATIONS and CERTIFICATIONS

DESIGNATIONS and CERTIFICATIONS

Designations and Certifications are earned by top industry professionals who value continuing education in the spirit of continuous self-improvement as a means to providing consumers and clients with the best service available.

Certified Residential Specialist

Ethics - To earn the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation, every REALTOR® must have significant experience and demonstrate volume of real estate transactions or gross sales, as well as complete rigorous educational requirements. Focus on Home Buying and Selling - Every CRS designee is required to maintain membership in the National Association of Realtors® and to abide by its strict Code of Ethics. Technology Expertise - The training available to CRS designees includes a strong focus on technology and its applications in the real estate business. The Top 4 Percent - Only 4 percent of all licensed Realtors® are Certified Residential Specialists. Mission Statement & History - The Council of Residential Specialists was created to attract and retain those REALTORS® seeking the knowledge, tools and relationship-building opportunities to maximize their income and professionalism in residential real estate.

Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Seniors Real Estate Specialists® are REALTORS® qualified to meet the special needs and concerns of maturing Americans. A national program since 1998, The Senior Advantage Real Estate Council® (SAREC®) offers a specific designation, SRES®, to identify those members who have successfully completed its education program along with other prerequisites. By earning the SRES® designation, your REALTOR® has demonstrated necessary knowledge and expertise to counsel senior clients through major financial and lifestyle transitions involved in relocating, refinancing, or selling the family home. Your REALTOR® has received special training, gets regular updates, and is prepared to offer the options and information needed in making life changing decisions. For additional Senior Resources, click here.

e-PRO® Certified

An e-PRO® Certified Realtor® will have the knowledge and skills to put the power of the Internet behind your real estate transaction. All REALTOR®e-PRO® Internet Professionals are complete a rigorous certification program endorsed by the prestigious NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) and have completed extensive training using the Web designed to embrace the latest techniques and services for your benefit including:

Providing both buyers and sellers with high quality, timely information using the resources of the Internet.

Leveraging the enormous power of the Internet when you are buying and selling property.

Saving time and money.

Using the Internet with Internet with skill, integrity, and professionalism.

Accredited Buyer Representative

What is a Buyer Representative? A real estate buyer's representative represents the buyer who is purchasing property in a real estate transaction. Research by the National Association of REALTORS has shown that when a buyer's representative is used, the prospective buyer found a faster and viewed three more properties than consumers who did not use a buyer's representative. A buyer's representative works for, and owes fiduciary responsibilities to, the real estate buyer and has buyer's best interests in mind throughout the entire real estate process. A buyer's representative will:

Evaluate the specific needs and wants of the buyer and locate properties that fit those specifications.

Assist the buyer in determining the amount that they can afford (pre-qualify), and show properties in that price range and locale.

Assist in viewing properties -- accompany the buyer on the showings, or preview the properties on behalf of the buyer to insure that the identified specifications are met.

Research the selected properties to identify any problems or issues to help the buyer make an informed decision prior to making an offer to purchase the property.

Advise the buyer on structuring an appropriate offer to purchase the selected property.

Present the offer to the seller's agent and the seller on the buyer's behalf.

Negotiate on behalf of the buyer to help obtain the identified property -- keeping the buyer's best interests in mind.

Most importantly, fully-represent the buyer throughout the real estate transaction.

The Buyer Representation Agreement: This written/signed agreement should spell out the responsibilities of both parties throughout the real estate process and the buyer’s representative compensation, ideally prior to viewing properties. Some states have enacted legislation to protect the buyer, absent that written agreement. Consult your REALTOR for complete details when you begin the purchase process.

Why Use an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR)? The ABR Designation is awarded by the Real Estate BUYERS AGENT Council to those REALTORS who have met the specific educational and experiential criteria needed to provide the high level quality service required by REBAC.

Short Sale Foreclosure Resource

Designed for real estate professionals at all experience levels, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification, or SFR provides a framework to:

Direct distressed sellers to finance, tax, and legal professionals

Qualify sellers for short sales

Develop a short-sale package

Negotiate with lenders

Tap into buyer demand

Limit risk

Protect buyers

Graduate of the Real Estate Institute

Why Choose a REALTOR® With a GRI designation? Buying property is complex and real estate transactions have become increasingly complicated. New technology, laws, procedures and the increasing sophistication of buyers and sellers require real estate practitioners to perform at an ever-increasing level of professionalism. More than ever, aligning with an agent who has a keen understanding of the real estate business is essential. The GRI program aids REALTORS in reaching that level of understanding.

GRIs are:

Nationally recognized as top performers in the real estate industry.

Professionally trained.

Knowledgeable.

Dedicated to providing quality service.

Member of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing

The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing is the premier independent authority in training and certifying real estate professionals in the art of handling exceptional properties. We exist to help buyers and sellers of high-end homes find quality real estate professionals who have been uniquely trained to handle upper-tier properties. To accomplish this goal, The Institute has four key areas of focus:

Research - The Institute provides its members with access to the knowledge and information needed to be successful in an ever-changing market. It supplies luxury home market data as well as primary and secondary research information to benefit luxury home buyers and sellers.

Membership - An international membership base ensures a strong network of knowledgeable sales professionals who specialize in the luxury market worldwide.

By remaining focused on these four key areas, The Institute helps ensure that its members have the tools and information needed to achieve the goals of luxury home buyers and sellers.

Certified Distressed Property Expert®

A Certified Distressed Property Expert® (CDPE) has a thorough understanding of complex issues in today’s turbulent real estate industry and knowledge of foreclosure avoidance options available to homeowners. CDPEs can provide solutions, specifically short sales, for homeowners facing market hardships.

Homeowners regularly proceed without guidance of any kind through the often financially and emotionally devastating prospect of foreclosure. Speaking with a well-informed, licensed real estate professional is the best course of action for a homeowner in distress. Through comprehensive training and experience, CDPEs have the tools to help homeowners find the best solutions for their unique situations and to avoid foreclosure through the efficient execution of a short sale.

Living through financial difficulties poses a challenge for any family, so to simplify process of finding a qualified real estate professional, select an agent with the CDPE Designation to ensure you’ll have a trained professional to address your specific needs. CDPEs don’t merely assist in selling properties, they serve and help save their clients in need.